OBITUARY: Fujiko Virginia Okamoto

OKAMOTO, FUJIKO VIRGINIA, affectionately known as “Fudge” to her family and friends, passed away peacefully at home on May 7, 2011.

Fudge was a lifelong resident of San Jose, except for a three-year period during World War II. She and her family were relocated to the Heart Mountain, Wyoming internment camp with other residents of Japanese ancestry. While at Heart Mountain she was trained as a surgery assistant to Dr. Morton Kimura, with whom she continued working after the war. It was there Fudge met and married Robert Okamoto, a recent graduate of optometry school, settling in San Jose’s Japantown. They purchased their first home in the foothills of east San Jose, then moved again to Willow Glen after the birth of their daughter Barbara. In later years Fudge was Bob’s valuable receptionist in his optometry practice.

Fudge and Bob enjoyed many years of travel together. They visited almost every continent on the globe. Their favorite retreat was Hawaii, where they spent every Christmas since the 1980s.

She is survived by Robert, her loving husband of 63 years, daughter Barbara Kawahara (John) granddaughters Megan and Samantha Kawahara, sister Chiyo Fukuda. Preceded in death by parents Sadaju and Yusa Sakane, brothers Sidney and Yoshio, sisters Shizuka Ikemoto and Masako Sakane. Also survived by numerous nephews and nieces.

A private family service was held on May 14, 2011.